MRS RM DRAGS AMERICAN CASK CHAMPS TO THE CHICHESTER CRAFT BAR

February 2025. Chichester.

When I was vigorously ticking the GBG (try it, it’s fun, and still largely legal) I’d really enjoy the bi-annual revisits to our gorgeous towns as much as the pubs.

Chichester was always a tad disappointing, cathedral apart, a Poundship Canterbury as someone once called it.

But last Wednesday it excelled. Clean, friendly, interesting walks along the walls, and a brace of craft bars starting with the Escapist.

OK, no-one really rates pokey craft bars with high tables over backstreet bench seated boozers, except in Southampton, but let me make the case for the Escapist.

Actually, let Mrs RM make the case. She’s the one who raved about the Comfort Hops by Other Half, demanding to know where it came from.

“it’s from New York !” says the enthusiastic beer lady behind the bar. I love enthusiastic people.

“our friends are from America, too, we’ll bring them here later”. Or something like that.

I thought Dave would be horrified being dragged to a US style bar with no hand pumps “ask if it’s key keg” instruction and cask barrels ahead of a beer festival.

But Joan and Dave know better than to refuse Mrs RM, as do I.

And an hour later they were happily drinking finest 8.5% Brooklyn murk.

With fried cheese. Don’t forget the fried cheese.

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Published by retiredmartin

Retired NHS, doing long walks around UK and the world to record the great bits. Focused on Good Beer Guide pubs and live music.

18 thoughts on “MRS RM DRAGS AMERICAN CASK CHAMPS TO THE CHICHESTER CRAFT BAR”

  2. Sorry, I’m only here to see if I can find out what’s happening in Man City v Plymouth in the FA Cup? (Asking for a friend, as usual.)

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    1. Phew! Who is this O’Reilly kid? And can we have him on loan at Luton Town in League 1 next season (please). I’ll be very thankful. Ever so thankful. I’ll even grovel in the Oval Office. Thanks you to the American people for O’Reilly!

      Sorry, I’ve been trying to escape from unbearable reality by drinking Acorn Barnsley Bitter in the Bath Hotel. Not sure if it’s working yet.

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      2. The Hatters held on, but luckily I wasn’t there to endure it.

        I was at Sandygate where Hallam beat top-of-the-table Silsden by 5 (five) – 1 (one). Our second goal came from a nutmeg that Jack Grealish will want to watch on YouTube.

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      4. Sorry, didn’t notice that my log-in had failed. Luckily you recognised me from my distinctive erudite style.

        The Hatters held on for our first win since last year.

        I was at Sandygate where Hallam beat the runaway league leaders Silsden by 5-1 (five to one). One of the goals came from a move that started deep in our own half with a nutmeg that Jack Grealish will want to watch on YouTube.

        Thanks for the offer of a pint of Barnsley. But no way am I staying in the Bath Hotel until 23:20. Match of the Day will be on telly! I’ve got to see the boy O’Reilly so that I can persuade Mick Harford to buy him.

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    2. United, Rovers, Rangers, Wanderers, etc. are all sort of OK terms to mean “football team”, I suppose, but “Argyle” is almost as daft as “Forest”…or “Wednesday” come to that.

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      2. I think the name came from a pub that the founders of the football club used to frequent. Back in the days when pubs played an important role in society.

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      3. Wednesday, obviously, was the only afternoon they could get off from the steelworks to play football.

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      1. I’d be happy to oblige, but I think we’ll be in League 1 (one) next season. But then, maybe City will be too?

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